DILG-9 chief urges local officials to take active role vs. terrorism

By Gideon C. Corgue

PAGADIAN CITY – In response to the call of President Benigno S. Aquino III to fight all forms of terrorism, the members of the Security, Justice and Peace cluster of the Regional Development Council (RDC)-9 chaired by the regional director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)-9 has intensified its efforts to address terrorism and other threats in the region.

Speaking during a two-day advocacy program and trainers’ training held at Chandler Suites here last week, DILG-9 Regional Director Paisal Abutazil said organized threat groups are operating in region 9 and in the neighboring provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-tawi, and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) where they have long been posing threats to the security and properties of the people in the area.

”With the local government units (LGUs) as the lead targets of this unlawful attacks, it is imperative upon the LGUs to strengthen and intensify coordinated efforts with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to combat terrorism,” stressed Abutazil.

 “Huwag po nating kalimutan ang nangyari sa Zamboanga City(Let us not forget Zamboanga City incident),” Abutazil said.

The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)-Misuari faction stormed Zamboanga City last Sept. 8, leaving hundreds of people dead and billions of properties destroyed. The standoff lasted for almost a month.

Abutazil said “it is a fact that one major hindrance to true and lasting peace and the security of our environment is terrorism particularly in Zamboanga Peninsula area and the whole of Mindanao.”

“While threats from terrorism remain complex and ever changing, I enjoined the local officials of the provinces, cities , municipalities and barangays to support and take a very active role in the fight against terrorism to have a peaceful, safe, orderly and friendly community,” Abutazil urged.

Abutazil expressed confidence that the unified and sustained stakeholders’ actions would definitely help in preventing and combating terrorism in the region.

Dubbed “Target hardening: Operationalizing the whole-of-nation approach against terrorism,” the training was participated in by LGU officials, PNP and military personnel, religious leaders, non-government organizations and media.

A similar activity would be conducted in six regions of Mindanao, Central Visayas, and National Capital Region (NCR) in Luzon starting October to December this year. (PIA9)